My 2013 Book Reading List

I'll admit it; I like to read. Most of the books I read relate to my ministry leadership. Looking back over the past year, I've been blessed by some excellent reads! Here's my list. I recommend them to you.

• Culture making: recovering our creative calling (Andy Crouch) 
• The 21 irrefutable laws of leadership tested by time: Those who followed them…and those who didn’t (James Garlow)
• Right here right now: everyday mission for everyday people (Alan Hirsch & Lance Ford)
• Common roots: The original call to an ancient-future faith (Robert Webber)
• Grounded in the gospel: Building believers the old-fashioned way (J.I. Packer & Gary Parrett) 
• The king Jesus gospel: The original good news revisited (Scot McKnight)
• When helping hurts: How to alleviate poverty without hurting the poor and yourself (Scott Corbett & Brian Fikkert)
• Center church: Doing balanced, gospel-centered ministry in your city (Timothy Keller)
• The liturgical year: The spiraling adventure of the spiritual life (Joan Chittister)
• Replenish: Leading from a healthy soul (Lance Witt)
• Toxic charity: How churches and charities hurt those they help and how to reverse it (Robert Lupton)
• On the verge: A journey into the apostolic future of the church (Alan Hirsch & Dave Ferguson)
• Godly servants: Discipleship and spiritual formation for missionaries (David Teague)
• Missional God, missional church: Hope for re-evangelizing the west (Ross Hastings)
• In, but not of: A guide to Christian ambition and the desire to influence the world (Hugh Hewitt)
• The gift of rest: Rediscovering the beauty of the Sabbath (Joe Lieberman)
  
• Relentless pursuit: God’s love of outsiders including the outsider in all of us (Ken Gire)  
• We are not the hero: A missionary’s guide for sharing Christ, not a culture of dependency (Jean Johnson)
• The faith of the outsider: Exclusion and inclusion in the Biblical story (Frank Spina)
• Christianophobia: A faith under attack (Rupert Shortt) 
• Western Christians in global mission: What’s the role of the North American church? (Paul Borthwick)
• I am a follower: The way, the truth, the life of following Jesus (Leonard Sweet)  
• Leading across cultures: Effective ministry and mission in the global church (James Plueddemann)
• Unfinished: Believing is only the beginning (Richard Stearns)

And how could I forget...

• His people on mission: Mobilizing churches for cross-cultural outreach (Don Dennison)  

Blessings to you!

New Book Available: "His People on Mission"

I am pleased to announce the publication of His People on Mission: Mobilizing Churches for Cross-Cultural Outreach. The product of my D.Min dissertation, this project was adapted for use in local churches. The contents include:

        * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
1 - Introduction:  Why this study?

Part One:  Biblical Foundations for Cross-Cultural      Missions

2 - His People on Mission in the Old Testament
       a) centrifugal missions
       b) centripetal missions 

3 - His People on Mission in the New Testament
      a) example and teachings of Jesus
      b) example of the early church

4 - Theological Implications for the Local Church

Discussion Questions

Part Two:  Becoming a Missions-Active Church

5 - Common Characteristics of Missions-Active Churches
      a)  the pastoral staff
      b)  missions leadership team
      c)  missions education
      d)  missionary care
      e)  prayer
      f)  mobilizing workers
     g)  missions funding
     h)  local ethnic outreach
      i)  summary

6 - Case Studies of CGGC Missions-Active Churches
     a)  Greenvillage Church of God
     b)  Indian Head Church of God
     c)  Duncannon Church of God
     d)  Casey White Oak Church of God
     e)  Mt. Pleasant Church of God
     f)   Hanover First Church of God
     g)  High View Church of God
     h)  Olive Branch Church of God
     i)   Germantown Church of God 
     j)   Swatara Church of God
     k)  New Providence Church of God
     l)   Shippensburg First Church of God
    m)  Central Manor Church of God    

Discussion Questions

Part Three:  Common Factors and Recommendations

7 - Research Findings
    a) the role of the missions leadership team
    b) the place of missions policy
    c) the influence of person(s) or event(s)
    d) the communication of missions
    e) the role of the pastoral staff
    f) denominational loyalty and engagement
    g) the factor of church size

8 - Conclusions
    a) Recommendations for CGGC churches
   b) Recommendations for future consideration

Discussion Questions

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Copies of the book may be purchased now from CGGC Publications by calling 419-424-1961 or by emailing publications@cggc.org

The cost is $10.95 per book plus shipping. 

SPECIAL:  Order 3 or more copies by March 1, 2014 and pay only $10 per book plus shipping

Two Interns Approved for 2014

Last month, the CGGC Cross-Cultural Ministries Commission approved the appointment of two new missionary internships for 2014.

 Isaac Acosta has been approved for a summer 2014 internship at Gamerco Church of God (NM). His primary focus will be reaching out to Spanish-speaking children and youth in the neighborhood and assist in developing a Latino ministry. Pastor John Thumma will serve as Isaac’s supervisor at Gamerco.

            Isaac is a member of Sanidad Divina Church in Columbia, PA where he serves as their youth leader. A freshman at Lancaster Bible University, Isaac has ministered in Venezuela and was on the 2013 Kenya Acts Team. His parents are Pastors Caleb & Christina Acosta. Funding for Isaac should be designated for CC 2809.008.

   

Caroline Tatum plans to join the Project Help staff in Haiti for five months as a tutor to the three Snyder children. Miranda, Ariel, and Zack are enrolled in an online course of instruction through their school back home in central PA. Caroline will work alongside the students to guide them in their learning experiences.

            Caroline attends Chambersburg First Church of God (ERC). She recently completed training with Global Expeditions  and has several short-term cross-cultural experiences, including a summer ministry in South Africa. Caroline is the daughter of Pastor Paul & Debbie Tatum. Funding for Caroline should be designated for CC 2809.009. Since she begins her internship in January, funding is urgent!

             

The CGGC missionary internship program is a way to (1) help persons discern God’s will for future missionary service; (2) provide short-term leadership to a mission church or field with a particular ministry need; and (3) motivate the person to have a lifelong missions vision.

Support for these interns should be sent to CGGC, Box 926, Findlay, OH 45839. Be sure to use the specific designated code. 100% of your gift will go to their support account.